Nine Eleven

I have the luxury of being able to contemplate this day without having to try to remember the face of a loved one which is fading with each passing day. I haven’t lost a loved one in the aftermath of that day on a desert battlefield. I have the luxury of wondering what the best way to commemorate is.

I, like so many of us, have the memory of that day, and where I was on that clear September morning.

Watching those news reports, reading the stories of those lost.  Many of us have done this year after year in the decade since.

This was the first year that I was able to find some comfort in the stories of those people who exemplified heroism and were the picture of an American.  The stores of those who outshine the ugliness and hatred that was trying to win out extinguishes just a bit of the negativity and that is a victory.  The loyalty and love that people feel for our military members is heartwarming.

I most admire those people who can look at a horrendous experience and glean some nugget from it that is hope filled or at least not the ugliest possible view.  As my initial disclaimer announced…I have that luxury.  I’m not saying everyone can do that.  I’m just sharing what I have found in the years since the  day that changed our nation.

Grace under pressure is the phrase that comes to my mind in the time following the events on September 11th and the search for stories of winners since is what I seek out.

What are your thoughts on the media coverage and the ways people have chosen to remember and honor any and all affected by the events of that day?

I have an idea!

For anyone looking for a way to fall in love with your husband all over again, take heart. I just figured it out. Mine just returned from doing one of the most appreciated jobs (at least by me and those closest to me) in Afghanistan. He was there for a bit of time (the actual amount does not matter for this particular ’recipe’s’ purposes).

And, now, since his return, I have been able watch him interact with our marvelous nearly 4-year-old daughter and I proceed (on a daily basis, mind you) to fall in love with him all over again. He is clearly besotted with her. And the reverse can also be said. He’s a hero for our nation and to his daughter, too (not to mention me).

Now, I know this won’t be for everyone, but it is just an ‘upside’ to something that can sometimes take a toll on families and I wanted to share it with you all.

Competition: With Self or Others?

This came to me in the middle of the night last night, but I didn’t make it up to the computer until now.  Lately a topic which has always intrigued me is resurfacing.  Some people tend to compete only (or at least mainly) with others.   Keeping up with the Joneses best characterizes this personality type.  Then there is the group of people who tend to compete with themselves and their last “bests”. 

In examining people I know fairly well, initially there seemed to be a correlation with birth order, but not  having done a truly scientific examination it didn’t hold up too well to scrutiny. 

 Some of this contemplation was brought up by a discussion I was a part of at book club recently.   It was furthered by the book I am currently reading (along with thousands of you out there no doubt) … Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.  http://elizabethgilbert.com/eatpraylove.htm  She really makes a person think.  Even if you can’t identify with the details of her life, it’s the overall structure of the questions that most of us struggle with at some point in life. 

It seems to me that the people who compete with themselves are more relaxed (not to be read less disciplined).  They just don’t seem as tightly wound as the others.    Just one woman’s observation.